An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Teamwork with simulated launch ensures missile wing's success

  • Published
  • By Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Minot Air Force Base's 91st Missile Wing recently conducted a simulated electronic launch of the Minuteman III missile. The purpose of the SELM is to thoroughly test the weapon system ensuring a reliable, safe, secure and effective weapon system.

"SELM provides reliability data," said Capt. Daniel Benson, 576th Flight Test Squadron test manager. "It allows us to guarantee that the launch facilities and missiles, as well as launch control centers are operationally effective."

Although the SELM is completed by missile launch officers, it is a team effort that includes missile maintainers and defenders. Several steps are taken leading up to the test, and planning begins about 22 weeks out at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Approximately six weeks prior to testing, the Vandenberg AFB Airmen who oversee the process come to Minot Air Force Base to prepare 91 MW Airmen for the SELM. Throughout the test, the two bases team up to help make the process run smoothly, Benson said.

"There are a lot of checks and balances and a lot of people triple-checking to make sure everything is set up properly," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Norris, 91st Maintenance Operations Squadron missile maintenance technician team chief.

Missile maintainers, defenders and operators all work hand-in-hand throughout the SELM test to ensure the simulated launch is executed properly. The maintainers' job is to isolate six launch facilities and ensure those sites are turned over to simulation mode. 

Security forces Airmen defend the missile complex throughout the process. While the maintainers work on the site, defenders keep it secure, allowing the operators to conduct the actual test. 

For the launch officers, the SELM provides an opportunity to employ their training.

Although the launch officers are used to the procedures, it still is exciting to be able to see the delivery system in action during the test, said 1st Lt. Brian Coyne, 740th Missile Squadron operations officer in charge.

Once SELM testing is over, the maintainers re-posture the launch facility, and the operators and higher headquarters staff review the results and make any procedural changes if necessary, Coyne said.

"The SELM was a great learning experience," Benson said. 

With nearly five months of planning behind them, both teams take away important on-the-job-training and a greater sense of assurance in the nation's missile deterrence capability.